I love Felicia Grossman's books, and this one is no exception. The Jewish rep is always meticulously researched, and I love Hannah as a heroine who will do what she needs to protect her sister and survive. The gender-swapped Snow White retelling made it a delight to read and catch the allusions to the fairytale. And that cover!! I tore through this book.

3.5 stars!

This was my first historical romance and I had such a fun time reading it. The tension between Sol and Hannah was so good. For the most part, I really enjoyed the dynamic between them and there was so much chemistry. Hannah was such a strong and likeable character. Sol had some very swoony moments and I love that he was so transparent with Hannah about how he felt for her despite the workings against them in the Jewish community of the Regency period. The story had a refreshing twist of gender norms in this time period and both Sol and Hannah were characterized very well. The only thing I was frustrated about was how things were handled at the end. It was starting to get repetitive and there was too much back and forth. The ending was kind of disappointing and at some point, I feel like the effort was all one-sided but overall, this was an enjoyable historical romance.

Read the highly recommended and wonderfully written romance story. Solomon wants to do everything his older brother needs him to do, but when he meets Hannah, a pawn broker, he wants her in his life with the passion even though she would not live up to his brother's wishes. Read the must read riveting love story.

An excellent second entry in the Once Upon the East End series -- Felicia Grossman's books are emotional, engaging, and I always enjoy the fairytale-inspired details. This is a Snow White story, so you'll find apples, mirrors, unconsciousness, grumpy sidekicks, evil relatives, and more. Hannah is an absolute gem and if you enjoyed Solomon in Marry Me By Midnight (which, by the way, was a big hit with my library's romance book club), you'll love seeing him fight for his own HEA here. A treat! I can't wait for the next book. Many thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

Wow! Wake Me Most Wickedly by Felicia Grossman was an amazing book! It’s the second book in her Once Upon the East End series and I almost want to say that I loved this more than the first one- Married By Midnight- and I really loved Married By Midnight!! Even though this is second in the series it could be read as a stand alone. Though knowing some background of some of the characters certainly enhanced it for me. There are flawed characters here. Hannah is a strong personality with a sharp tongue and trauma in her background. She’s an intense protector of her younger sister and will do anything to secure her future. Sol is a swoon worthy MMC who is immediately taken with Hannah, even though they aren’t from the same societal circles. Sol also has family drama which causes danger and angst, as these two characters find a way to be together. The story also weaves in a clever retelling of Snow White with symbols such as mirrors and apples and rescuing characters with names like Doc! These are romances set during the regency period in London. The twist is that her characters are Jewish so the stories are from the point of view of the Sephardic and Ashkenazi Jewish people who lived there during that time. Felicia Grossman is a meticulous historian and an amazing storyteller. She writes about the antisemitism that Jewish people dealt with, the traditions that they kept and the romance and joy that they found. I cannot wait for her next book! I was lucky enough to receive an arc for Wake Me Most Wickedly from net gallery.

Mirror, mirror on the wall who is the fairest of them all?" Thank you @readforeverpub for the #gifted ARC of WAKE ME MOST WICKEDLY by Felicia Grossman via NetGalley. (Releases on April 9, 2024)

I loved this book, and I had a hard time putting it down. So just quick thoughts for now.

WAKE ME MOST WICKEDLY should go on your TBR, and not just for the gorgeous cover, if it's not already one of your anticipated April releases. It's sexy, it's funny, and there's just enough angst - both internal, and external, to keep one turning the pages. It's also sweet. Plus Mrs. Lira is back in her fairy godmother role.

Going into the reading, I knew it was an homage to Snow White, but I was still always pleasantly surprised by when the Snow White beats showed up - the apples, the dwarves, the poison, the evil stepmother. There are probably a few more that I missed.

I do want to briefly talk about the sibling relationships, without spoiling the book. Hannah, as the eldest sibling, will do nearly anything to protect her younger sister, as she feels very responsible for making her an orphan. Yet, her sister seems to chafe at all the restrictions that make her practically perfect/being able to overcome their current situation so that she might find an eligible suitor. On the other hand, Solomon is the younger brother that was raised by his older half brother - who had to put his dreams on hold to raise a young boy, and he would do anything to please his older brother, even if it's not always something that is good for Solomon.

I highly recommend reading the first book in the series, MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT, before diving into this one. You won't regret it. Thankfully we get more books in this series, because I already knew I needed a book for Rebecca when she was introduced in MARRY ME BY MIDNIGHT, and after her scenes with Roger in WAKE ME MOST WICKEDLY, I need their book now. If that's not the pairing, then color me even more intrigued

Content Notes: antisemitism, sexual assault (not graphic), allergic reaction (peanuts)

This gender-swap Snow White/Huntsman has nods to the original with betrayal and even apples, dwarves, and mirrors. The author writes mutual attraction well, but I this was a little too instalust for me.

I liked the juxtaposition of Hannah raising her younger sister and Sol being the one raised by his older brother. Sol is very likable, but a little hard to read sometimes as he’d be determined to do as his brother asked and stay away from Hannah, and then in Hannah’s POV in the next scene he’d be eager for her and we didn’t see how he made the mental jump from one intention to the other. It wasn’t clear to me until the end that Sol had a trust and that should have been mentioned earlier and throughout. Just like the last book, there was off-page plot development supplied by other characters near the end. I wished we had seen Sol or Hannah figure the solution out rather than be told about it.

It was fun to see Isabelle and Aaron again and I’m glad he and Sol are friends. The setting and community comes alive and I’d read a dozen more romances by this author.

This is a more unique take on historical romance, because while it takes place in London, it happens among the Jewish community, giving the reader a glimpse into another culture, with their specific vocabulary, religion and issues (there's a lot of struggle with anti-Semitism, and author's historical note is included to contextualize it).

The female protagonist, Hannah, is also atypical for historical romance. She's not a pure and naive virgin. She's 32, involved in the criminal underworld, spent time in prison in the past for selling stolen goods, she's tall, not traditionally pretty and fairly stubborn and aggressive. On the other hand, she's very likeable - she's sacrificing all her income to save for dowry for her younger sister to get her out of the bottom layer of society, she feels guilty for her parents being deported to Australia (while it was a prison colony, another interesting historical tidbit) and worries they died on the ship, she has big insecurity problems feeling unworthy for her love interest, and she's very cynical and pessimistic knowing people will always judge her for her past and family of origin.

The male protagonist, Sol, is a good guy - hardworking, kind, devoted to his brother. He's not rich or noble, he's an ordinary man, described as "broad, not tall". I liked these 2, in the world where historical romance usually revolve around rich nobility love interests.

There was an interesting narrative contrast between Hannah's devotion to her younger sister and Sol's devotion to his older brother.

The romance developed nicely and got properly steamy in the second half. The banter was also really enjoyable.

I liked the nod to the Snow White fairy tale (instead of an apple it's something else, but pretty obvious it's a parallel).

As for what I didn't enjoy, one was how 2 characters described as clever were SO SLOW at catching up with the mystery I can't mention without spoilers, but I guessed ages before they did who's behind everything. Sol I can somehow excuse for being young and naive, but Hannah was so blinded by her insecurity she really should have spotted a few things earlier, especially thanks to her "job" experience.

Another trope I really dislike is unearned forgiveness, and again, can't go much here without spoilers but it felt too much like turning the other cheek.

Generally, it was a very interesting read as I didn't know many details about the history of Jews in England, and the characters were a breath of fresh air in historical romance. The plot climax and resolution were a bit of a letdown, but nothing to ruin the joy of the romance.

I have not read the previous book in this series, but it's fully enjoyable as a standalone.

Recommended for readers who want to take break from nobility in historical romance and want to see working class protagonists and a different culture than English people.

4 stars.

Thank you NetGalley, Forever / Grand Central Publishing / Hachette Group for the ARC.

I hope the final version gets rid of the typos, because there were quite a few (for example mixing he / his or in one scene mixing tea and coffee between lines).

While I really wanted to like this novel, and I *did* enjoy several scenes (especially the one with the older ladies who shared similar characteristics with several particular characters in the Disney version of Snow White), I had a much more difficult time with this book.

For starters, some of the characters that appear in "Marry Me by Midnight" come back to this story, which is fun; however, a few of them seem to have undergone either personality shifts or transplants. Another thing that was distracting were all the scenes of conniving. It got to be too much for me to want to keep up with: who is trying to scan whom, for what purpose, for how much money, etc. Finally, the bedroom scenes are much more steamy than I wanted to read--especially given the stated fact that one character was bad for another character, and their involvement would be awful. Did that stop them? Nope. It got to be a bit repetitive on that score.

I did, however, want to mention that (a) Hannah finally feels supported by the Jewish community in their synagogue, and I loved that so much; and (b) Sol doesn't convert for business, shows his sincerity in his faith, and always wears his yarmulke. Always (ahem, see steamy remark above).

The historical notes in the back of the novel are *chef's kiss* amazing. I'd love it if Felicia Grossman also wrote more on the Jewish experience in this time period with the whole scope of history and society. Fascinating.

I received a eARC copy of this novel on NetGalley, which had not gone through final copy edits and within which I found multiple errors that were distracting to me. I am confident they'll be fixed before final publication.

Ill read anytbing that joanna shupe has given her stamp of approval because she never disappoints! This book was phenomenal, as expected!!! i didnt realise at the time that this was connected to marry me by midnight and while i loved that book, it was nowhere near as incredibly gripping as this one. im obsessed with wake me most wickedly

Wake Me Most Wickedly is an absolutely stunning follow up to the Once Upon the East End series. I thought that I couldn’t possibly love a historical romance more than I loved Felicia Grossman’s Marry Me By Midnight, but I was so wrong, because Wake Me Most Wickedly was even more delicious and agonizingly gorgeous. Hannah, the main character, is 32, and a character in their 30s is a refreshing twist I always love in histrom, and then layered on top of it is a rich and thoughtful exploration of existing as a Jewish person in 1830s London, in a world where that means something special, but also, more often than it should, means antisemitic people view the characters as scary just for existing. By the way, do make sure to read the author’s notes after the text; they are brilliant and important footnotes to the literary canon that we often leave out of reading Dickens.

But I digress, the main event here is the relationship between Hannah, hardworking, loving Hannah who is determined to give her sister the world, despite the hardships of their childhood, and sunshiny, dapper Sol, who is perhaps a bit too trusting, but an absolute gem of a man who will melt your heart and your undergarments, whether that’s a chemise and corset or something a bit more modern. Sol and Hannah have sizzling chemistry, and though they are seemingly worlds apart, they’re so perfect for each other, and the journey for them to discover that is both achy and joyful in the best possible juxtaposition. Just like Grossman’s first book, this is a gender-swapped fairy tale, so Solomon is the Snow White character and Hannah the dashing rescuer. I pine for them, I swoon, and I await the arrival of my hard copy on release day SO eagerly. I can’t wait to put this beauty next to Marry Me By Midnight, and then to one day get my hands on all four.

Thank you to Forever, NetGalley, and Felicia Grossman for the eARC of this book!

Wake Me Most Wickedly is a thoroughly spicy historical romance between Hannah, a Jewish woman surviving as an informant and fence following her parents' conviction and imprisonment, and Sol, a young Jewish man who is struggling to find his place in the Jewish community without alienating his brother whose aspirations lie in the gentile world.

There are a lot of reasons to love this book. It's a reverse age gap romance (Sol is 26 and Hannah is in her mid-30's) between two people who live solidly on the outside of the glittering social circles that we traditionally see represented in Victorian Era romance. The rules and expectations governing their choices are tied to the Jewish community, regardless of how far removed they each feel from it.

From the beginning, you can sense their desire for each other and their compatability, but the author does a really good job of making you feel like there's no way for them to end up together. Hannah makes her living and provides for her sister by participating in the criminal underworld, and Sol has an inheritance and a respectable job at a securities firm. Even Sol's closest, most well meaning friends warn him away from Hannah in the beginning. It's his admiration and love for her that eventually convinces them he will not be dissuaded from his desire to be with her, regardless of what it costs him.

If you like historical romance that explores the Jewish experience and/or romance that has explicit scenes of physical intimacy, Wake Me Most Wickedly is for you.

Good book. I thought the main characters were good but different from other historical romance characters, which was refreshing. Good storyline and a fast read.

I liked this cover and thought the book would be really good. I didn’t connect with the storyline though. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Vibes: older woman/younger man, Snow White retelling, Jewish historical romance

Heat Index: 6.5/10.

Sol Weiss is looking to live up to the example (and expectations) set by the half-brother who raised him--and that means marrying the right woman. The right woman is NOT Hannah, with a shady past and a shadier lineage. But after she rescues Sol from an attack, he can't get her out of his head. And the more she tries to stay away, the more he wants her...

If you're looking for something light and fun--though not at all silly--with a good dose of interclass conflict and a rough around the edges heroine, this is for you. It's not often that we see heroines who are a) older than their heroes, which Hannah is and b) the more "dangerous" one (in theory) in the couple. At the same time--though Sol is funny and sweet, he's not a milquetoast. Seriously, how could he be with Hannah if he was?

It's like... a feel-good book, but not without stakes. Which is what I think Felicia Grossman is starting to specialize in. With, of course, a strong focus on the 19th century Jewish community in England, which--how often do you see that in romance, despite it being a huge part of the era.

Quick Takes:

--You often do see heroines who have a bit of an edge, but it's less often that you see them actually do things that make them seem more worldly and, dare I say, competent than the hero. Hannah is introduced here as someone who has a lot of responsibilities, doesn't shy away from her sexuality (but also, you get the sense, has never really had someone truly care about her needs), and isn't above committing crimes.

And then... she saves Sol. It's not that Sol isn't competent--more that he doesn't have as much life experience as Hannah. Which tracks, as he's literally younger than her and also comes from a more sheltered background. But I wouldn't say he's spoiled. He's willing to learn. He's eager to learn, really (in every way... yay, a hero who's less experienced in bed than the heroine!).

Sol is a good dude, but as I said before, he's not a boring dude. He wants to do the right thing, but Hannah quickly becomes his priority. Also, he does crochet at one point, and I did find that delightful.

--To be clear, I am not Jewish, and my understanding of Jewish customs and history is superficial at best. But it's clear that Grossman has done her research regarding the era, and I really appreciate that her characters' identities are woven in to the fabric of their beings. Like, there isn't a Very Special Episode Where We're Reminded That The Characters Are Jewish (which I've seen happen when writers who aren't Jewish write characters that are). It's just always there.

--One thing I really liked as Sol and Hannah's relationship progressed was the way that he clearly started to take care of her. I love an independent heroine who takes care of people (Hannah does not have a kid, phew, but she does have a sister she's trying to set up for a better life) and resists the hero trying to care for her. That's done really well here. Sol is like, mildly outraged that this woman doesn't have people looking out for her, and it's very sweet.

--This is a Snow White retelling! There are nods to elements like the Seven Dwarves. I don't know that I would call this a particularly heavy retelling, and I'm not sure that the retelling element was super necessary? But it was cute.

The Sex:

There are several sex scenes in this one, all of which are good, and they usually revolve around Hannah's pleasure. Sol is not super experienced, but he's READY to jump in, and it's really great. In fact, their entire sexual relationship (which begins before the halfway mark, thank God) begins with him basically going "let me help you RELAX" which. Gold. He's a GOOD boy.

For the fans of a face-sitting scene.... There is a great one in this book wherein she is shocked! Shocked I say! And he basically goes "hold on to the bed frame I'm working here".

Anyway, this is a super fun, fluffy-but-not-TOO-fluffy read that gives you something beyond the typical hero/heroine dynamic (which I still love) along with a solid dose of heat. It's for the girlies (and not-girlies) who just want to go home after a long day's work and have our shoulders massaged, and also perhaps other things too. We love to see it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Like the first book in the series, Wake Me Most Wickedly is about one character who is an outcast in the Jewish society, and one who is in better standing with Jewish society but has a tenuous grip on their good reputation (and is on the edge of having a good reputation in the gentile society, as well).
I loved both Hannah and Sol, and their complicated family dynamics, as well as their similar (though VERY different) struggles in terms of where and how they fit in. I didn't really see how it was a Snow White reimagining until about 2/3 of the way in, but then the references were delightful. There were a few moments where the prose kind of slipped a bit and pulled me out of the story, but overall I liked it, and am definitely looking forward to reading more by Felicia Grossman.

Unfortunate this book was definitely not for me and different than what I expected based on the description. Hannah was an interesting character but the rest of the story was kinda boring for me 🤷🏼‍♀️

It was an okay book not for me. Best to read in order for context. Set in regency period and a nice portrayal of the Jewish community during that time. The heroine is older and poorer than the hero and totally not what he wants for a wife. But there's a good connection between them that leads to a hea

I had a hard time connecting with the characters and the story of this book. I am not sure if the description of the book exactly correlates to what the story is actually about. I was expecting a slightly different story from this book that I am not sure that I got. I think that the opening text on the book description should describe that this is the second book in a series.

I've been really enjoying Felicia Grossman's fairy tale flips set in a Jewish community in nineteenth-century London, and this Snow White one was great. She uses the fairy tale elements in clever ways, though I think the "dwarves" in this book didn't necessarily have to be there in the capacity they were. She also does a fantastic job of blending the social history within the story. And I love, love, love the hero Sol--he's so charming and he's all in for Hannah. Definitely going to be one of my favourite heroes of 2024.

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever for the ARC.